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Battery Thwart Defensive Posture

By CHARLIE CORR - charlie.corr@uslsoccer.com, 06/25/17, 11:15AM EDT

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East-leading Charleston posts season-high six goals vs. TFC II


Photo courtesy of Zachary D. Bland / Charleston Battery

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Not that long ago, Toronto FC II’s defense had one of the stronger shutout streaks in the league, posting a club-record 331 consecutive scoreless minutes against its opponents.

The Charleston Battery, like they have done against other stout defenses, amended their approach with high-flying success.

Led by league goal-scoring leader Romario Williams and Dante Marini, who both had a pair of tallies, the Battery rolled to a 6-1 victory against TFC II on Saturday at MUSC Health Stadium.

“We started trying to move the ball around, but they sat back on us,” Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser said. “So I’m happy with the way my guys adjusted to the other team tonight. When you get six goals at home, it’s great for the fans, great for the team, and a great result. Romario gets another two to keep him at the top of the league, and Dante did great to get his first two league goals of the season.”

Williams now has 13 tallies on the season, putting him one ahead of Reno 1868 FC’s Dane Kelly (12).

“My teammates did a good job of finding me in the pockets tonight,” Williams said. “The entire week we’ve been preparing to play against three in the back and we know that when we go up against teams with three at the back that we’re going to get a lot of space in the middle and attacking thirds. I just tried to make myself available in those spots and the guys did a good job of finding me and I was able to get two.”

The team’s six goals are a season high, eclipsing the memorable 5-0 victory against the Rochester Rhinos on April 15, a match in which Williams had a hat trick just 26 minutes into the game.

For the season, the Battery now lead the USL with 34 goals, moving ahead of Western Conference leader Real Monarchs SLC (33).

Charleston (9-2-4, 31 points) extended its first-place lead in the Eastern Conference as second-place Louisville City FC (7-2-4, 25 points) dropped a 1-0 road match to the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday.

Nevertheless, Charleston knows it needs to be in top form for the remainder of its home stand when it faces the Tampa Bay Rowdies next Saturday and then Louisville on July 8.

“We accomplished our goal here tonight and that puts us in a position to get nine points from these three home games,” Anhaeuser said. “There’s six really important points on the table in these next two matches. We know Tampa is a quality team with a lot of experienced players who is going to come in here and make it tough on us.

“After tonight, we’re excited to get after it this week and hopefully replicate this performance next Saturday.”

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